49 pages • 1 hour read
Sadeqa JohnsonYellow Wife
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2021A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Yellow Wife by Sadeqa Johnson tells the story of Pheby Delores Brown, the daughter of an enslaved woman and a white plantation owner in 19th-century Virginia. Pheby's journey takes her from a plantation to Devil’s Half Acre, where she must navigate her survival under a jailer who controls the sale and transport of enslaved individuals. She strives to protect her loved ones, endure internal conflicts, and make difficult choices to maintain her children's dignity. This book discusses slavery and its effects, and it also contains graphic accounts of physical and sexual violence.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Sadeqa Johnson's Yellow Wife is widely praised for its vivid portrayal of historical events and compelling character development. Reviewers appreciate the book’s emotional depth and gripping narrative. However, some critique its pacing, noting a slower middle section. Overall, it is highly regarded for its evocative storytelling and strong, resonant themes.
Who Should Read Yellow Wife?
Readers who enjoy gripping, historical fiction with strong, resilient female protagonists will be drawn to Yellow Wife by Sadeqa Johnson. It will appeal to fans of The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom and The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead, offering a powerful, emotive narrative set against the brutal backdrop of American slavery.